Watching this year go by has been like standing watching the bullet train.


Doesn't this have something to do with the theory of relativity?




Whatever the significance, I find myself once again in the second half of November with 2005 approaching faster than the speed of light.

Applied Scholastics

The other day I had an interesting experience using study tech. I was reading something and I just totally didn't get it. I was very annoyed by the sentence and felt frustrated and like just putting the book down and forgetting it.

Then I remembered a bit of study tech, and decided to try out what it said. I looked for a word I didn't fully understand. There it was. In this case it was a physics term - something I had had trouble with in high school physics and college physics and "never needed to understand because I wasn't going to be an engineer."

I checked several dictionaries and finally found the right definition, and it was pure magic -- the section of the book that I disagreed with before now made total sense and I felt great!

As a Scientologist I've used study tech for many years. But study tech has application in studying anything, not just Scientology. Applied Scholastics was established by a Scientologist about 30 years ago to help make study tech available to schools, communities, businesses - anyone who needs to be able to learn and apply what they have learned - which is everybody in this day and age.

A little over a year ago a new campus for Applied Scholastics was opened in Spanish Lake, MO - a town that is part of greater St. Louis. This place is gorgeous. But it is not just the physical qualities of this Applied Scholastics campus that is important - it is the technology they offer.

When I think back to how painful it was to me to go to school -- and I was a good student -- and how much I love studying now, using study tech, I really want to share these techniques with everyone.

is some more information about Applied Scholastics

Delphian School
L. Ron Hubbard and Applied Scholastics
Applied Scholastics Successes
What is Applied Scholastics?
Applied Scholastics Grand Opening
More Information on Applied Scholastics
L. Ron Hubbard and Applied Scholastics - Study Tech
Applied Scholastics -- Improving the Quality of Education
Applied Scholastics - Effective Education with Study Tech
L. Ron Hubbard - Education and Applied Scholastics

Mission Earth

Reading Google news today reminded me of Mission Earth. Mission Earth is a very sardonic satire, written by L. Ron Hubbard 20 years ago. It's a 10-part series that starts on the planet Voltar.

The hero is one of the great heroes of fiction - Jettero Heller. He's 100% competent, compassionate, brilliant, athletic, responsible, trustworthy (and all without being a wuss). Oh. Did I say gorgeous? That too.

The heroine, the Countess Krak, matches him perfectly in all aspects.

The villains are overwhelmingly evil.

The books were written by L. Ron Hubbard who also composed rock music to accompany Mission Earth. The album of this music was recorded by Edgar Winter and it is great rock and roll.

One of the songs, Cry Out, was adopted as the anthem of the 20th anniversary of Earth Day International.

The premis behind Mission Earth is that Voltar, the seat of an intergalactic empire, maintains its economy through a series of planned conquests of planets. There is a plan that extends for many thousands of years into the future and this plan is inviolate. However it is threatened by the fact that planet earth, known on Voltar as Blito P3 (our sun being known as the star "Blito" and P3 standing for 3rd planet from the star) is going downhill so fast, with pollution, threat of nuclear annihilation and rampant drug abuse, that it threatens to blow itself up or destroy all life on earth.

Hence - Mission Earth. In other words a mission needs to be fired from Voltar to salvage Earth to guarantee it will still be there when Voltar is ready to invade.

And the mission? One Jettero Heller and his "Mission Operator" Soltan Gris who is really a member of the FBI-like "Apparatus" and whose real agenda is to sabotage Jettero, and continue the destruction of Earth.

The book is available in English and from New Era Publications in many other languages as well.

It is also available as an audio book series

Of course L. Ron Hubbard has written a great many different fiction books, all very worth reading.

Church of Scientology of Phoenix Aarizona

The Pluralism Project put up at page about the Church of Scientology of Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix is a very important in Scientology history. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, lived in Phoenix for some time in the early 1950's. It was here that he created the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International (a precurser to the current membership organization - the International Association of Scientologists) and where he conducted a great deal of his research into the spiritual nature of man.

L. Ron Hubbard issued the Creed of the Church of Scientology from his office in Phoenix.

L. Ron Hubbard also recorded his famous "Phoenix Lectures" here. These have been described as follows: "In 1954, L. Ron Hubbard was living in Phoenix, Arizona, where he conducted a series of courses for advanced students. In this single year he delivered more than 450 recorded lectures. The object of this intense activity was the achievement of a goal as old as man himself — the freeing of the human spirit."

The first Narconon was established with the help of the Church of Scientology of Phoenix. Naroconon is a very effective (78% success rate in most cases) drug rehab program that uses the discoveries L. Ron Hubbard made into the cause of addiction xand how to help a person overcome drug dependency (not learn to live with it or "realize" that you will always be an addict - no -- change that condition.

The current Church of Scientology of Phoenix has found new premises which they will be moving to shortly.

Always happy to find something who thinks the same way I do:

http://www.cool-sites.net/scientology.asp :)

Scientology in Europe

Europe poses some unique challenges for a new religion, link Scientology.

To begin with, Europe has no tradition of religious tolerance. The source of the cruisades, burning witches at the stake, the Cathar extermination, Huguenot masacres, all the way to the present with the genocides of the jews in World War II and the genocide of the Muslims in former Yugoslavia in the 1990's.

Scientology has had its share of discrimination in Europe too - nothing as dramatic as burning Jeanne D'Arc at the stake but nonetheless behavior that is completely unacceptable int he 21st Century, more than 50 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Today, with the "enlightened" Chirac government,young islamic women have to chose between their religious convictions and their education as they are not permitted to wear their head scarves to school.

Despite this, and a general distrust of anything new (except MacDonalds and 7/11) Scientology is thriving in Europe.

I've posted about the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of Spain in Madrid. What a beautiful church that is!

Denmark, home to the Advanced Organization and Saint Hill

(AOSHEU or AOSH EU)

in Europe provides advanced spiritual counseling and ministerial training for people of all European languages and also serves as the AOSH for the middle east and Africa.

Our churches work to improve their communities and make a difference, with the Scientology volunteer ministers cavalcades in the heart of cities around the continent bringing the message to people that "something CAN be done about it."

The reason I blog is that I hope people who really want to help others or need some help themselves will find my blog and realize that things do NOT have to stay the way they are. Unfortunately things don't. Rather, if you don't do something about a bad situation in your life it will only deteriorate.

Here is some information about Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard that I'd like to pass along to help when help is needed.

Information on the Church of Scientology

Church of Scientology International Presentation on Religious Freedom in Russia: Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy and Bilateral Relations
About Scientology
Scientology Churches, Missions and Groups

Information on Dianetics

Dianetics books, courses and counselling, and their availability in the UK.
Dianetics: A Visual Guidebook to the Mind (great way to learn to use Dianetics, by the way!)
Guardian Limited description of Scientology and Dianetics
Buying Dianetics: Evolution of a Scientology
Religious Expertise on Scientology and Dianetics

Information on L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard's dedication to helping others through better education
Yahoo directory - L. Ron Hubbard category
Celebrity Scientologists like to let people know how much Dianetics has to offer

Vote NO on California Proposition 63

I'm reprinting this analysis of California Proposition 63.

Overshadowed by our US Presidential race, this proposition presents a real threat to the liberty of many thousands if not millions of California and, if passed, would creat the worst kind of precedent California could set.

It is an extremely destructive bill.

We are throwing billions more dollars at a failed system that doesn't work and is actually harmful to the individiauls it is supposed to help.

Here's the article. "No on 63"

I'm very interested in any comments you micht have about this proposition.

This sleight-of-hand substitute is a feel-good proposal that doesn't plan for the future and doesn't make sense. Our children and families require better.

Mental health care is important, and a good idea, but this initiative has problems. The bureaucratic allies of Steinberg have a narrow-minded approach to treating illness, and do not produce the results they claim. Medically, their approaches fill people with drugs, but do not give them a cure. Politically, they define 'mental illness' so broadly as to include nearly everybody. And scientifically, their methods are incomplete, and leave out of the equation the physical and environmental factors that impact a person's health and well being. All that aside, the goal of eliminating homelessness is noble, but the funding structure of the system propped up by this initiative will only perpetuate the sad cycles of dependency- and that helps no one. It just sounds good.

How does this affect me?

The funding mechanism (a marginal tax increase imposed upon personal incomes above $1 million in any given year) would have the inevitable effect of driving some location decisions, for both existing and prospective California residents, in ways detrimental to the state economy. This is the central reason that tax increases, particularly at the state and local levels, almost never yield the revenue increases assumed initially. It is inevitable, therefore, that political pressures will emerge to extend the tax increases downward in the income distribution; over time, the middle class will be hit because, as Willie Sutton perceived, that's where the money is. Alternatively, other programs will have to be cut.

If you REALLY want to know the TRUTH about psychiatry, visit CCHR's website

Here's a directory I'd never seen before. It has sites from 28 languages: http://www.mavicanet.com/

They also have a very good selection of information about Dianetics and Scientology (my favorite).

Speaking of foreign languages, I get such a kick out of seeing Dianetics in other languages. Here are a few of my favorites (because they are so unlike English).

Macedonian Dianetics
Vietnamese Dianetics
Georgian Dianetics
Bulagrian Dianetics
and even Sinhalese Dianetics.

There is something very exciting to me to know that people all around the world are reading this book and getting help, as we (I) speak!

Nice description of Scientology here:

"Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. It holds in common many of the beliefs of other religions and philosophies, and considers man to be a spiritual being, with more to him than flesh and blood. This, of course, is a very different view to that espoused by prevailing scientific thought which views man as but a material object, a complex combination of chemical compounds and stimulus-response mechanisms.

Scientology believes man to be basically good, not evil. It is his experiences that have led him to commit evil deeds, not his nature. Often, he mistakenly solves his problems by considering only his own interests, which then causes trouble for both himself and others."

The rest of the article can be found here: Scientology

Here's a great article I found in the Boston People's Voice

"A New Ministry Reaches Out"

The Scientology Volunteer Ministry of Codman Square is running free after-school study skiils training as well as hosting routine community meetings, all in an effort to get involved in Dorchester, an area of Boston that one would not expect the Church of Scientology to set up shop in.

"These are some of the many initiatives that we are working on to help out the community," states the ministry's director Rev. Robert W. Castagna, a Cambridge resident and photographer who has worked within the community setting for years. "I started off teaching photography to senior citizens , kids and the homeless all on a volunteer basis. Then I decided to make my impact greater and get involved as a minister. I also run a Scientology prison ministry."

Robert's wife, Ksenia, a musicial who has opened for the likes of Willie Nelson, Robert Cray and the Indicgo Girls, has started to wrok along side her husband and is the supervisor of the after-school iitiative. Her vision is to not just help people with their homework, but to instill positive study habits into student sand adults alike, that will last them a lifetime and truly make a difference for the long haul.

While Rev. Catagna states that he is an outsider, living in Cambridge, growing up in the Berkshires and opening up a ministry in Dorchester, he feels it is just another challenge to overcome. "To me it is not a matter of black and white. It is a matter of hey, I see there is a need over there, let's do something about it."

"I read in the paper that gangs are organizing and that there is senseless violence. From this I say Scientology has some solutions that can help," says Rev. Castagna. "So I get busy doing something."

The Scientology philosophy is founded on the works of L. Ron Hubbard. The Scientology Volunteer Ministry provides free booklets and service tot he community and can be reached at (617) 82504280. The ministry is located at 628 Washington Street in Codman Square. The after school initiative is available free of charge and is ehld Wednesdays from 2:00 to 7:00. Parents are encouraged to get involved and volunteers are provided free training.


By the way, Robert is a terrific photographer, as aluded to in the article. Here's an example of his work:

Tom Cruise y La Nueva Iglesia de Cienciología de España

I am thrilled to hear that Tom Cruise is attending the grand opening of the new Church of Scientology of Spain in Madrid.

For the past couple of years I've know that this beautiful new church is being renovated and that it is located in the most beautiful part of Madrid in a classic building. But this adds even more to the mix!

Here's the invitation I received. I SO wish I could go. Anyone in Spain, or Europe for the matter, should make it over there. This is an opportunity of a lifetime (and I personally think it will be a turning point for Scientology, not just in Spain but throughout Europe and a major step in accomplishing the Aims of Scientology: "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology."

Here are some useful links and information on the subject:

Los cienci&oacutr;logos no están dispuestos a castigar a los drogadictos o a reformar una sociedad entera en este tema. Pero s&iacure; que están dispuestos y activos para ayudar a cualquiera o a cualquier gobierno a resolver el problema.
La Nueva Iglesia de Cienciología de Madrid y os cienciólogos están dedicados a resolver el problema en todos sus aspectos.
Cienciología en Español
Cienciología: Cómo Liberar a la Sociedad de las Drogas

One of the first places that Dianetics caught on, after the US, was Australia.

I have met some of the founding Dianeticists and Scientologist from Australia and they are pretty incredible people. Getting on in years now - all of them at least in their 70's - they forged the way to making Dianetics and Scientology a reality in that country.

Of course we now have Bulgarian Dianetics, Arabic Dianetics, Macedonian Dianetics not to mention Vietnamese and Sinhalese Dianetics with plans to translate it into every language on earth - but in 1950 it was only in English and so English speaking countries were the first to have the opportunity to study and practice Dianetics at least in the early 50's.

I have some very good friends from Australia. I really like their temperment and sense of humor - there's such a cheeful and outgoing attitude among the Aussies I know.

We have quite a few Scientology churches in Australia, and they have some very interesting Scientolgy web sites too, such as this one about Dianetics..

I read Dianetics again recently. I've read it several times, but each time I get more out of it. I remember the first time I ever read it. It was quite a life-changing experience because I finally understood why people (myself included) act the way they do. I was determined right then and there to be a Dianetics Auditor (counselor) and sure enough, the things I've done to help others as an auditor are some of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had.

For example, there was a friend who had been in Viet Nam. He'd never been able to come to grips with why he survived and so many of his friends did not. He was stuck back there in time and so much of what he was going through in life was colored by his decisions from more than 30 years ago. Then when he came back home, he was so introverted and out of it he missed spotting that one of his best friends was really depressed. This friend committed suicide and he could never forgive himself for neglecting him what he needed help.

We took this up in an auditing session. And when we were done he felt truly cheerful for the first time in years.

He no longer felt he couldn't live his own life because others he could have helped had died.

To be able to help someone like that is about the most precious gift I can imagine.

When you think about it, the fact that L. Ron Hubbard not only figured out what was going on with people and the mind, and not only did he work out a therapy that will handle these things, but that he wrote it up in books, and recorded lectures on the subject and kept at it until he had worked out how he could train anyone on the subject - that is truly incredible.

Here are some sites for anyone who'd like to know more about Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard.

MavicaNet Scientology and Dianetics Directory
Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science
Dianetics Tone Scale Test
L. Ron Hubbard on Epolitix.org

I am very excited about the grand opening of the new Church of Scientology of New York, which is going to happen later this month.

The church right in the theater district on West 43rd street, and it has been completely refurbished.

One of my favorite Scientology quotes is "You are a spirit. You are your own soul. You are not mortal. You can be free" and the purpose of Scientology is to put you into the position where you can and have actually accomplished personal spiritual freedom.

L. Ron Hubbard's legacy is a technology that can be applied to accomplish this goal. But since it is a technology of life it applies to every facet of living, and can help the individual overcome problems, help others, excel in his or her chosen field. It helps you to study, it increases IQ and reaction time. It helps improve relationships. In short it touches and can improve any aspect of life because it contains the basic truths about life.

Consequently, all our churches, missions and Scientology groups have simple courses and auditing (spiritual counseling) that will address what the individual most wants to improve in his or her life.

There are many such services, and from what I've heard there will be many many more soon.

Most of these services cost less than a night out at a club or dinner and a movie, but where the enjoyment of such diversion lasts an evening and may bring some pleasure contemplating it for a couple of days, what you gain from one of these Scientology courses or counseling services actually actually handles things, actually improving your life.

And I can think of no city that deserves Scientology more than New York. After all, New York is the best city on earth. Isn't it?

All kidding aside, New York has always been a special place to me, and September 11th only strenghthened my care for and loyalty toward it.

There are three New York Scientology Chuches:

The Church of Scientology of New York
The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre New York
and
The Church of Scientology of Harlem.

Harlem is a brand new church and primarily concentrates on delivering Dianetics spiritual healing technology through the Harlem Dianetics foundation. Dianetics was the first breakthrough of L. Ron Hubbard in his research that culminated a few years later in the Scientology religion.

Although it is a very new Scientology church it is working with the community on many projects while renovations are ongoing for the new building that will soon be its home.

A Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre is a special church in its own rite. The New York Scientology Celebrity Centre is located, appropriately, just down the block from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this church is dedicated to advancing the culture through caring for the artists and leaders of the society. Of course anyone is welcome to come and receive Scientology training and counseling at Celebrity Centre New York, but this church provides special training workshops and consultation for artists in every kind.

With all the differences and hostilities we see in the world between different ethnic groups, those things we hold in common could use some emphasis.

In Scientology we have a principle called ARC. This principle is covered fully in the Scientology Handbook which says, in part :"There are three factors in Scientology which are of the utmost importance in handling life....These three factors in Scientology are called the ARC triangle. The abbreviation ARC (pronounced A-R-C rather than arc) is one of the most useful terms yet devised.

The ARC triangle is called a triangle because it has three related points. The first of these points is affinity. The second of these points is reality. The third of these points and the most important is communication.

These three factors are related. By affinity we mean emotional response. We mean the feeling of affection or lack of it, of emotion or misemotion (irrational or inappropriate emotion) connected with life. By reality we mean the solid objects, the real things of life. By communication we mean an interchange of ideas between two terminals (persons who can receive, relay or send a communication). Without affinity there is no reality or communication. Without reality there is no affinity or communication. Without communication there is neither affinity nor reality.>>"

In our church we are working to bridge the gap between waring cultures by working with people on a one-to-one basis.



One way we doing this is by helping people find and read Dianetics and start up Dianetics groups in their neighborhoods. For example Dianetics is published in Arabic and Hebrew; in Urdu in Pakistan and in India in
Hindi

We believe that by helping people overcome their personal areas of irrationality we can build a real peace - one that will continue because people of good will enforce it and see to it.

Interesting article by Scott Shane of the Baltimore Sun
with the title "Deadly craft of biowarfare nothing new to U.S. government" refers to an expose done by Freedom Magazine in 1980.
Here's a link to the Freedom page on this expose: http://www.freedommag.org/english/vol2704/unlock.htm

They designed deadly, silent biological dart guns and hid them in fountain pens and walking sticks. They crunched lethal bacteria into suit buttons that could be worn unnoticed across borders. They rigged light fixtures and car tailpipes to loose an invisible spray of anthrax.

They practiced germ attacks in airports and on the New York subway, tracking air currents and calculating the potential death toll.

But they weren't a band of al-Qaida fanatics -- or enemies of any kind. They were biowarriors in the U.S. Army's Special Operations Division at Fort Detrick.

From 1949 to 1969, at the jittery height of the Cold War, the division tested the nation's vulnerability to covert germ warfare and devised weapons for secret biological attacks if the United States chose to mount them.

****

I have no reason to believe that they've suddenly changed their ways over the past 15 years.

AOSH EU

What is AOSH EU? (or AOSHEU) you may ask.

If you follow my blog, you know I write often about the Scientology religion.

AOSH EU is a very important part of it.

First, to define it. the "AO" in AOSH EU stands for "Advanced Organization".

Although there are Scientology churches and missions throughout Europe and all over the world, the highest levels of spiritual discover in Scientology applied religious philosophy are only available at Advanced Organizations.

The "SH" in AOSHEU stands for "Saint Hill".

To establish a central training, management and dissemination point, Mr. Hubbard and his family moved to Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex, England in 1959.

In 1961 Mr. Hubbard launched the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course: the most comprehensive single auditor training service in Scientology. It contains the largest, broadest body of information on the subject of human behavior, the mind, life and spirituality that has ever been available.

So the SH of "AOSH EU" stands for Saint Hill.

And, of course, EU stands for "Europe"

There is another AOSH in Sydney Australia, and in Los Angeles there is an AO (AOLA) and a Saint Hill (Saint Hill Day for parishioners who undertake a full-time study of Scientology courses, and Saint Hill Foundation which provides training and auditing for those pursuing their Scientology studies at night and on the weekend).

Advanced Organization services and Saint Hill services are also available at the Flag Service Organization in Clearwater, Florida.

To begin with, did you know that over 46 languages are spoken in the various nations of Europe?

In the Scientology religion, the main practices (training and spiritual counseling) involve study of the works of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientology religion.

This means the tremendous task of translation of these works into all the languages needed by parishioners in the area, and training those who will minister these services in the churches.

AOSHEU plays a major part in this.

For more information on AOSH EU:

The No-Drugs Blog
AOSH EU - Продвинутая Организация и Сент-Хилл Европы
L. Ron Hubbard blog
Fortgeschrittenen Organisation für Europa - AOSH EU
L'Organisation avancée d'Europe - AOSH EU
Scientology on Two Coasts blog

Two of my favorite things converged last week, and I just found out about it tonight.

Anne McCaffrey received a lifetime achievement award from an L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award

"The milestone 20th Anniversary L.Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards have been conferred on winners of the internationally-acclaimed 2003 Writers and illustrators of the Future Contests for new and aspiring writers and illustrators of speculative fiction - - representing countries from the United States and The Netherlands, Panama and Croatia --- in landmark ceremonies at Hollywood’s storied Beverly Hills Hotel.

"Hollywood CA (PRWEB) August 24, 2004 -- The Achievement Awards event also honored world famous fantasy and science fiction author Anne McCaffrey, creator of The Dragonriders of Pern Saga and a judge of the Writers of the Future contest virtually since the outset, with this years coveted L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts.

"The milestone 20th Anniversary L.Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards have been conferred on winners of the internationally acclaimed 2003 Writers and illustrators of the Future Contests for new and aspiring writers and illustrators of speculative fiction -- representing countries from the United States and The Netherlands, Panama and Croatia...."

More Information on Anne McCaffrey

Anne McCaffrey Teacher Resource File
Anne McCaffrey Bibliography
The Dragon Lady: An Anne McCaffrey fanlisting

More Information on L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard - Literary Correspondence
L. Ron Hubbard The Founder of Scientology
ePolitix.com - Hubbard Foundation
Alibris: L Ron Hubbard

Conventional Protest

Interesting story on Leslie Cagan, the organizer of the planned anti-Bush protest which the New York State Supreme Court is trying to stop.

I myself can't understand the point of having a Republican convention (or a Democratic convention this year for that matter) when there is no purpose for its convening - the candidates have been selected, even their running mates are set. What are we watching? Why that incredible expense?

Imagine if all the money that was spend on these two conventions were channeled instead into effective programs to handle drugs, crime and iliteracy. What if it was used to educate children in areas like Rowanda, feed kids in the Sudan, provide grants for small businesses in Ghana. What positive good it could have accomplished.

Le Petit Prince Trouvé?

27aug04

A "SUPER-Earth" has been discovered orbiting a star about 50 light years away.

European astronomers sighted the planet orbiting a Sun-like star, mu Arae, in a southern constellation called the Altar and which is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.

The unnamed world, which whizzes around mu Arae in just 9.5 days, is the smallest of about 125 so-called extrasolar planets that have been detected so far.

Most extrasolar planets spotted so far are about the size of Jupiter. "

"This planet is far smaller, with a mass only 14 times that of the Earth. It appears to be a rocky planet with a gassy atmosphere and orbits in a balmy region.

"However, there is the tantalising question as to whether it lies within the "Goldilocks Zone" -- a distance from its star that is not too hot, not too cold, just right to sustain life. - AFP

Ou est mon baobab et ma rose?

New Breakthrough in Electronics?

This little article could be a major breakthrough. A minor mention in the indy news today. I wonder the ramifications it will have 2 years from now on the entire electronics industry.

More Scientology Links

And for my favorite hobby - finding cool links about the Scientology religion, here's a page I just stumbled across. Great selection of links.
Another one on Mr. David Miscavige(one of my favorites)
And here's a terrific speech by the President of the Church of Scientology of Washington D.C.

The Church of Scientology in Clearwater has been getting some great coverage in the St. Petersburg times.

Here are the best articles - really fair and balanced media that gives the facts about how much members of the Church of Scientology help the community.



Tampabay: About Scientology

Tampabay: Scientology's town

Tampabay: Four key Scientologists

St. Petersburg Times: The man behind Scientology

I think Youth for Human Rights is a terrific group and a wonderful program.

I am sure that by educating youth on the importance of real communication among races, ethnic groups and countries and affirmaing the rights of each individual, as held by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we can accomplish peace.

I see that Youth for Human Rights has just held a summit at the United Nations.

Here's some information on the event, from the Youth for Human Rightsweb site:


"The colorful event was held in an assembly room of the United Nations. Delegates arrived bearing their national flags and wearing satin sashes with the name of their countries.

"Dr. Pouran Ameli, President of the American-Iranian Friendship Association, opened the event, commending the delegates, Youth for Human Rights International and the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International for their efforts to teach human rights to young people.

"Mr. Graig Mokhiber, Deputy Director of the US Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the delegates that the United Nations looks to youth to bring increased sanity and stability to the world, and that the UN wants to work with young people to achieve this purpose.

"Also speaking were the Director of Youth for Human Rights International, Mary Shuttleworth, and YHRI celebrity spokesperson Lynsey Bartilson, star of the popular American TV series, 'Grounded for Life.'

"Two delegates who recently met with the presidents of their nation, Natasha Jain of India and Fay O’Choa of Guyana, then spoke about what they would like to accomplish for human rights in their countries.
Natasha said that someday she hopes to found the first L. Ron Hubbard School of Human Rights in India."

Dan and Pam Blehert are two Scientologists I really admire. They are both artists - she is a painter and both are poets, and their honesty and idealism is as refreshing as it is contageous.

Here are some of their sites:

Scientology, a Modern Religion. This is a brief statement about Scientology, and a list of their recommended sites. I've read through them and I agree they are excellent sources of information on Scientology.

Words & Pictures -Site of Pam and Dean Blehert: This is their main site - full of interesting and useful information. Dean's poems are quite inspirational. Pam gives great on-line art lessons. It's updated regularly and always has something new to enjoy.

Waterbug: This is Pam's blog, which she updates regularly with her poetry.

That't it for my Blehert fan club for today.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Help in Wake of Hurricane Charley

I found this in the news today. I'm so proud of my friends in Clearwater who are pitching in and helping in this relief effort.

They were just spared from devastation themselves by less than 100 miles, and fortunately there are lots of Scientology volunteer ministers in Clearwater who could be mobilized to help their neighbors.

08/17/2004
Scientology Volunteer Ministers Help at Florida Disaster Site
One center is in Port Charlotte, where a team of 20 volunteers are distributing supplies, such as ice, water, food, toiletries, tarps (to cover holes in houses), etc. Another team went directly to the hardest hit area of Punta Gorda and set up a similar food and supply distribution center.



08/17/2004
Scientology Volunteer Ministers Help at Florida Disaster Site
One center is in Port Charlotte, where a team of 20 volunteers are distributing supplies, such as ice, water, food, toiletries, tarps (to cover holes in houses), etc. Another team went directly to the hardest hit area of Punta Gorda and set up a similar food and supply distribution center.



If you wish to volunteer your time to help the residents of these areas, or if you have supplies you wish to donate, please contact either Judy Fagerman at (727) 410-6921 or Ayal Lindeman at (813) 416-4888.



Churches of Scientology around the world founded the Volunteer Ministers program in 1976. It works in coordination the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) and other national disaster relief organizations to provide help whenever and wherever help is needed.



As L. Ron Hubbard once said: “A being is only as valuable as he can serve others.”



Scientology Volunteer Ministers are doing just that.


company: Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization
contact person: Pat Harney
e-mail: coscw@scientology.org
phone: (727) 445-4338
site: http://www.scientology-fso.org

Mr. David Miscavige was one of the speakers at the Scientology Celebrity Centre International Gala, held last week.

Mr. Miscavige is an inspiration to all Scientologists. His dedication and skill and the level of professionalism he shows in all his work is a real model for me.

What gives me pause is to see how dedicated men and women like him are so intent to help other.

The best example, of course, is L. Ron Hubbard. When you really start to read and listen to his books and taped lectures it is so incredible what this one man did to help his fellow man. He could have bowed out after writing Dianetics. That in itself, and the miracles it produces when used, is enough to have qualified him as one of the true humanitarians of all time, but despite constant abuse in the press and relentless pressure from vested interests L. Ron Hubbard continued his work until he was satisfied it was actually done, and he had discovered and codified everything that was needed to help all beings attain spiritual freedom.

I encourage anyone who really wants to help others, or has a goal to increase their own awareness and spirituality, to go to the Scientology church and find out what Scientology really is. And if you can't get to a Scientology church or a mission or group, then do a Dianetics extension course online. One is available at The Dianetics Home Page

I pulled together a list of sites that have information on David Miscavige, including non-English sites, to provide some more information on this extraordinary man.


David Miscavige - Danish Profile
David Miscavige - Dutch Profile
David Miscavige - Greek Profile
David Miscavige - Hebrew Profile
David Miscavige - Hungarian (Magyar) Profile
David Miscavige - Japanese Profile
David Miscavige - Norwegian Profile
David Miscavige - Portuguese Profile
David Miscavige - Russian Profile
David Miscavige - Swedish Profile
David Miscavige - Taiwanese Profile
David Miscavige - French Profile
David Miscavige - German Profile
David Miscavige - Italian Profile
David Miscavige - Spanish Profile

I really admire the founding Dianeticists and Scientologists, and wish I could have been there at the start.

It was a frantic, adventurous time, with new developements happening on a daily basis - lots of confusion, lots of excitement.

Here is a site with success stories from some of these ladies and gents:

Dianetics and Scientology Stories From Founding Scientologists

Dianetics is as popular as ever - even more so, being read by people in over 50 languages; new Dianetics groups popping up in places whose names I've never even heard before.

For example look at this headling:Dianetics Technology may find its way into Botswana

And how about these different-language-editions...

Bulgarian Dianetics
Uzbek - Dianetics
Sinhalese - Dianetics
Georgian - Dianetics
Arabic - Dianetics
Macedonian Dianetics
Korean - Dianetics

Here's a site that answers frequently asked questions about Dianetics and another that has excellent links to introductory information on Scientology and Dianetics.

This from the LA Times today:

"Sometimes, brunching off the beaten path simply means going completely out of your element. That's part of the allure of the Renaissance Restaurant, the dining spot housed in the Church of Scientology's imposing Celebrity Centre on Franklin Avenue.

The exquisite building was built in 1929 as a replica of a French Normandy castle and at that time served as a luxury residence for some of Hollywood's most famous: Bette Davis, Carole Lombard, Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Gracie Allen, George Burns, Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant all stayed there, according to the church, which bought the building in 1973. Tours are available all day Sundays.

The restaurant is open to the public for brunch and for dinner during the week. Food and beverage director Pancho Calvillo says all of his staff are Scientologists, but Hollywood Hills residents make up the biggest brunch contingent. The buffet offers the usual fare, with a few highlights from chef Philip Christoudoulou: His sausages are handmade and the fluffy Belgian waffles are from a 30-year-old recipe.

On a recent Sunday, the garden patio is an oasis of calm in the middle of Hollywood. A small band and jazz vocalist play in a gazebo on the lawn. Across the patio, there's a table of hip-looking thirtysomethings. They look a little uncomfortable, and it turns out they're on a brunch adventure. "We set this brunch up because we thought it would be a freaky thing to do," says Mitch Winston, a 34-year-old entertainment executive. You get the impression he's a little disappointed. "The only thing I thought was weird was the lady who brought the coffee asked if I wanted some coffee to wake up my mind. I thought that was kind of weird. But otherwise, it's a good brunch."

The Manor Hotel, where the Renaissance Restaurant is located, is home to a once-a-year celebration: the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International's annual Gala, in celebration of the founding of the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre.

This year's gala was a total blockbuster.

Here are some photos from it:

>

More information about Scientology:

Yahoo! Directory Religion">Church of Scientology
Scientology - Find a Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology Human Rights Office - Germany: Religious Freedom
Scientology Effective Solutions
Church of Scientology Buffalo
Church of Scientology International Human Rights Office - France 2004
Church of Scientology of Tampa, Florida
Scientology Volunteer Ministers
The Creed of the Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology and Dianetics Foundation of Washington D.C.
Church of Scientology of Salt Lake City

For me one of the most exciting things about Scientology is when groups, missions and churches open up in new countries.

Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health is available in over 50 languages. And because it is so simple to learn to use the techniques in these books, people frtom all over the world can read it and start to use it to help one another.

For example here are some of the languages that it is published in:

Vietnamese - Dianetics
Sinhalese - Dianetics
Arabic - Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard
Georgian - Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard
Russian Dianetics

Of course Dianetics is also available in Italian and there are many Scientology Churches and missions in Italy

Here's a site that gives a lot more information on Dianetics and on the expansion of Scientology into new countries, in a question and answer form. It answers many of the questions I find people know to Scientology or Dianetics tend to ask:
Church of Scientology - Dianetics Answers and Authentic Information

I get so tired of hearing politicians talk. No change - no improvement, but a lot of PR. I just don't see any substantial difference between the candidates and I guess I've become pretty jaundiced when it comes to campaign promises.

What I admire is a person who gets things done.

One such person is One person is Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center.

Here is more information on David Miscavige:

Scientology Today - David Miscavige
David Miscavige - the Many Behind Scientology
David Miscavige at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Scientology Building in Clearwater
David Miscavige Pays Tribute to L. Ron Hubbard

IAS Freedom Medal Winners

IAS Freedom Medal Winners are a special breed of person. As the 20th anniversary of the founding of the IAS (the International Association of Scientologists) approaches I think of the dedication of these people.


Here is information about this award:

IAS Freedom Medal Winners
Scientology: IAS - Freedom Medal Winners
The International Association of Scientologist - IAS
RehabNZ / President, Criminon International Freedom Medal Winner Greg Capazorio
Freedom Magazine in the UK - Preserving Human Rights for All
International Association of Scientologists
International Association of Scientologists
Freedom Magazine in the UK - Preserving Human Rights for All
IAS Sponsored Human Rights Event

Here's a site I really recommend: World Institute of Scientology Enterprises - WISE

Most people have trouble making ends meet these days. Although it appears there is a greater affluence than ever before, our grandparents would never have conceived how much debt we could have created - personal and national.

If you ever feel like all your work is going for paying off these debts, WISE has some great tips to help you pull out of this.

Love this quote from John Travolta in the Chicago Sun Times today:

"John Travolta: Scientology

Travolta credits the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard for his outlook on life. Following the '70s hits "Grease" and "Saturday Night Fever," his career faltered. It wasn't until 1994, when Quentin Tarantino cast him as hit man Vincent Vega in "Pulp Fiction," that Travolta got a slump-ending break. Until then, Scientology taught him to chin-up. "I guess I have almost always been a positive person, but my studies in Scientology have made me even more positive," he told Ananova.com. "There are folks in Hollywood who get addicted to suffering and pain and almost enjoy being sad. I'm not one of those." In a 1998 Redbook article, he praised Hubbard's wisdom for helping to organize his world. "You need a team around you that is close to flawless," he said. "You have to have people who love you and care about you. Otherwise, you won't make it." He added, "Scientology is the foundation of what allows me to produce so much."

Here's some interesting information about Scientology - it has excellent descriptions of Scientology books. Haven't seen anything like this elsewhere.

Here you go.

FAQ: Books and Tapes on Scientology

I got notified I was "accepted" in blogsearchengine.com .

Reminds me of high school when getting accepted in clubs meant something.

Here I am a blogger wanna-be and something thinks my blog qualifies... Gosh!

Some very interesting audio files about Scientology here

http://www.goodnewsbroadcast.com/18fri/hjentzsch.ram and http://www.goodnewsbroadcast.com/18fri/billsharyn.ram
which you can find here Good News Broadcasting: Religion/Spirituality

Found this very nice little article about Scientology the other day. I always like to share information like this when I find it.
Scientology

Here's an interesting description of Scientology Basic Courses

This site is from New Zealand, but the basic Scientology courses he is describing are available at all Scientology churches and missions which can be found here:
Locate a Scientology Organization

See - the St Petersburg Times isn't all bad.  They did a nice article on Scientology before too:

Scientology reaches out to troubled

He calls himself stupidboy, but he got it right about Scientology

Funny about tests. You'd think we all did enough of them at school. But when you don't HAVE to take them it's different and they are very hard to resist. I'm always curious how I score, and even when I'm busy doing something important when a test pops up on the Internet I am prone to diverge from what I've been doing and jump right in.

So I took the Beliefnet.com test, and although I've been a Scientologist for 34 years, they found me to be a true believing Budhhist. Ah well. It's good to know I have "tradition".

I'm not the only one to take this test - seems like others have the same penchant to check themselves against some standard.

Here are others' sites/blogs I've found of people who have done the same thing:
Brian Lewandowski - L'il Kernels of Insight
No day but today
Verses in my Head: Brian Schroeder's personal weblog
Chronarchy.Com
David's very own Blog
Doe Rae Me
roost
A Heartfelt Love, don't you love me?
underdosed and writing the blues
So how do your religious beliefs stack up, exactly? (amusing)
Monileigh's Tuff Toe-Nail
all my tests
in theory
Pretty Shiny Bits
Robson Ryan's Rants
John R Chang: Blog: I guess I'm not Catholic
Underneath the Clothes
Andy And Lizette
rosencrantz*s musings: February 2003 Archives
BladeForums.com: The Leading Edge of Knife Discussion - O.T. Beliefnet. Has anyone seen this before?
Chronarchy.Com
My Little Piece of the Web
davblog: musings in April 2003
: Faith and Religion : Your beliefs
Dreamsmith's Forge - My Belief-O-Matic Results
Fatshadow
What I believe
I Am Pariah - Blog - Belief-O-Matic
Ya Gotta Believe
juju.org :: Belief-O-Matic
Kensho Godchaser: About Our Writers
Life's Reflection: Faith...
Post Comment
The Dealer of Death's Journal. Abandon Hope all ye who enter here..
z3p: a wallflower gone wild - April 27th, 2002

Now here's a nice site about Scientology that I just found in the Open Directory Project under "Church of Scientology".

TheTrueLight.Net - Scientology

It presents some of the basic facts about the Scientology religion in an easy-to-assimilate format. Good one!

Scientogy and the St. Petersburg Times

I was delighted to see the covered by the St. Peterburg Times about Scientology today.  It's such a good article and really gets the facts straight - not too usual for the media and certainly a nice change for the St. Peterburg Times!
 
 

Here's a link to iT: Scientology's town
  

This is a photo from the story - a view of Downtown Clearwater, with the large white buildings with the red roofs being the two main buildings of the Church of Scientology in Clearwater.

The only thing I would improve on this coverage is the fact that Scientologists really aren't "taking over" the city at all. There is so much room for people of all faiths to live and work together there that this attitude strikes me as being silly.

When I grew up in New York, as a Jewish girl living in Queens, the only people I knew were Jewish. One time I found out the father of one of my girlfriends wasn't Jewish and that was a shock to me as I didn't know anyone who wasn't. When I was in 5th grade a Catholic girl moved to town and she and her mother invited me over to trim their Christmas tree the week before Christmas. The fact that this happened almost 50 years ago and still stands out fresh in my mind tells something of the ethnic make up of the place.

It was a much larger city than Clearwater, population-wise. I went to high school with 5000 other students and it was just a 3-year highschool. There were so many people that I didn't even know the names of the people who lived on my own block.

But no one would ever have called this a "Jewish City".

So although I am really happy with the improvements in Clearwater, I would still like to see myself and other Scientologists viewed for the people we are, and I'd like us to be able to just get on with making Clearwater a premier city through community activity of all residents to improve the lives of everyone living there.

By the way, looks like they mostly got it right here too:

Tampabay: About Scientology

One of the more outspoken and well known Scientologists is Leisa Goodman.

There is an updated bio on her home page here:Church of Scientology International - Human Rights Director

Liesa is very active in promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.















Here she is at a conference held in Los Angeles on the subject.
Some web sites of Human Rights groups the Church of Scientology International supports are:
Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI)
Information on how Scientology churches support Youth for Human Rights International
International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance
Scientology support for the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance.

There is an interesting article of letter by Ms. Goodman on the web site of the University of Marburg in Germany in which she addresses religious desicrimination against Scientology and other faiths in that country.

Other intersting sites that take up this subject are:

The Source for truth on the Church of Scientology and its Members
Church of Scientology Human Rights Office - Germany: Religious Freedom
Church of Scientology - Religious Freedom in the New Millennium
Is Scientology a Religion?
US Navy Department of the Chaplain - Scientology

Scientology Volunteer Ministers

One of my favorite topics, because it's one of my favorite activities.

Here's a photo of
Scientology Volunteer Ministers at the new Church of Scientology of Harlem












And here are some Scientology Volunteer Ministers who have their own web sites:

Chaz Van Heyden's Volunteer Minister Page
Abbas & JoJo Zawawi - Volunteer Ministers

The President of the Church of Scientology of Austin Texas wrote an article about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers which is worth reading too.

L. Ron Hubbard Way is dedicated in Los Angeles

I found this photo and couldn't resist publishing it here. This was the day L. Ron Hubbard way was dedicated in LA. It was back on 1997, and I'm probably there in the crowd, although I can't spot myself in it -- I was off the the left toward the bottom of the photo.

It was such a terrific group effort, getting that street renovated for the grand opening. It's still one of the prettiest streets in LA, with the brick road surface.

One of the things I love about attending events like this is that people I really admire are there.

One such person is David Miscavige.

Many events, which are televised to Scientology churches and missions around the world, are MCed by David Miscavige.

Here's another shot of the dedication of L. Ron Hubbard Way, with David Miscavige and John Travolta leading the march down the street. And another shot of the same event here.

Every year there is an event commemorating the Anniversary of the publication of Dianetics where Mr. Miscavige is often present.

Other such events are
anniversary of the establishment of the International Association of Scientologists which usually takes place in the United Kingdom in East Grinstead where Scientologistswho have made stellar contributions to improving society are honored every year.

Another event that is televised internationally is the anniversary of the birth of Scientology founder,L. Ron Hubbard. David Miscavige usually gives the keynote speech at these events, in which he gives a brief overview of some of the most exciting news about Scientology around the world for that year. These events are held in Clearwater

Here are links to some other events like these:
David Miscavige | L. Ron Hubbard | Founding Church of Scientology
Groundbreaking Ceremony Clearwater Florida with David Miscavige

Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Boston

Found this great article today. Don't know how long it will stay on-line so I've added it to my blog.

They Blinded Crime with Science
Scientologists Tackle Bums, Gang Violence

by Paul McMorrow


After four homicides in the span of one May week, Boston Police Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole was in need of some serious anti-crime divine intervention. The Commissioner convened a meeting of 30 Boston ministers and pledged a redoubling of Boston's faith-based crime prevention efforts, but despite all the talk, the bodies continued to pile up.

Last week, God, the ministers and the BPD got a little help from an unorthodox source: old friend L. Ron Hubbard and the Church of Scientology.

The Scientologists, according to their Community Outreach Director, Rev. Robert Castagna, could not sit idly by while drugs, violence and illiteracy continued to rend Boston's social fabric; the city's year-to-date homicide count had just reached 29 (it had risen to 31 at press time), and something had to be done about it.

And something could be done, Castagna argued. At least, that was the message emblazoned on the side of the Scientologists' big yellow tent, which was parked on the Boston Common last week. Inside the tent, officially called the Scientology Volunteer Minister Cavalcade, Scientology volunteer ministers spoke with 2500 members of Boston's crime-loving public, urging them to please stop shooting each other.

“We realize that there is violence, illiteracy and drug use, but we want to put out some solutions,” explained Castagna. “Something can be done about it! In spite of violence, there are solutions. The public is distraught, they feel apathetic; we have solutions.”

Castagna likens the Scientologists' current outreach to the ongoing collaboration between O'Toole and the Black Ministerial Alliance, as well as to the partnership between the city's ministers and police that helped stem the tide of Boston's early '90s crime waves. The Scientologists, he says, are looking to establish “collaborations with clergy, police and civic groups. When you collaborate, you actually solve problems. We want to take our church in that direction.”

At this point, if it helps Boston's youths lay down their guns, O'Toole isn't ruling anything out. Although she could not get to the tent's ribbon-cutting ceremony, she sent BPD Night Supervisor Bobby Johnson in her place. Other dignitaries hoping that the Scientologists can “do something about it” included at-large City Councilor Maura Hennigan and child actor Patrick Renna (the big-boned, redheaded kid from The Sandlot).

BPD spokeswoman Beverly Ford said that there was “nothing sinister” about Johnson's appearance at the tent and that the commissioner welcomed the Scientologists' efforts in the context of the BPD's anti-crime “faith partnerships.”

Theodore Boddie, director of the new Codman Square Scientology Volunteer Ministry center, pledged to do anything he could to help Boston's hooligans turn their lives around. “We have a terrific new police commissioner in Kathleen O'Toole, who is aware that the police can operate much more efficiently when working with religious and community leaders,” he said. “The commissioner's goals of making Boston a safe and crime-free city align with The Aims of Scientology, and we intend to help her as much as possible.”

Renna sounded an equally hopeful note. “Boston's my home town and I don't feel that I can sit back after the 29th homicide of the year has just occurred. The works of Scientology religion founder L. Ron Hubbard regarding drug awareness, literacy and morality have made me successful and have kept me on the right path. This is what this community needs!”

According to Castagna, lives are being changed already. “One person came through the tent, drunk and homeless. One of the ministers helped him with what we call a 'locational' - he looked at the grass and trees until he became more oriented to his surroundings. He had a realization. He realized that he had no purpose in life; he went out and started helping others. He had actually found a purpose in life. Many, many people were helped there this week.”

Sharon Shenkar, a Scientologist volunteer minister who manned the tent last week, described it as a smashing success. “We had a great turnout, a real great cross-section of people. Scientology handles the root of a lot of the problems that cause crime. You can help one person momentarily, and six months later they won't be doing well. This week, we were teaching people that someone might have a problem with crime and drugs, and that can be traced back to literacy. Something happened to make them not feel good about themselves. You wouldn't normally put the two together. People feel frustrated, and that leads to drugs and crime. I've seen small miracles in that area alone.

“Several people came in with problems with study, technology and relationships. It's about having techniques that work, having a philosophy that works permanently. It's not a band-aid. It's the biggest relief to have help permanently. It just works.”

I'm looking forward to this weekend, where all of the Scientology churches in the Los Angeles area will be co-hosting an event in Hollywood on L. Ron Hubbard Way . David Miscavige will be the master of ceremonies of the event.

The event will be a video of an event held last week aboard the Scientology: Freewinds Motor Vessel - an advanced Scientology religious retreat.

Here are some more interesting sites about Scientology

The Real Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology: Theology and Practice
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Scientology
Church of Scientology International European Public Affairs and Human Rights Office
Scientology and Religious Tolerance
Scientology A comparison with Religions of the East and West

Here's a terrific site for kids: KinderStart - Because Kids Don't Come With Instructions!

Here's what they say about their site:

"KinderStart is the largest (and most popular) indexed directory and search engine focused on children zero to seven on the 'net.

The mission of our small but dedicated staff is to provide parents, grandparents, foster parents and teachers with the most organized, and easiest to use index and search engine available."

One of the perils of the Internet comes from one of its greatest strengths - the instant availability of information of all kinds.

Where this has increased the speed and effectiveness of research 1000%, whether for professional or personal purposes, it opens the door to our kids being exposed to things they are not ready to cope with.

Hell, I don't like it when I get hit with porn pop-ups and I shudder to think of the effect of this on kids.

So this kind of portal is such a great idea.

Some of the categories I particularly recommend are:

KinderStart - Arts and Entertainment

KinderStart - Sports and Exercise

and of course:

KinderStart - Society/Culture/Environment : Religions : Scientology

One of my favorite essays is Personal Integrity by L. Ron Hubbard

I try to live up to this in all aspect of life.

I think it applies to so many areas - relationships, self-esteem, how hard you work on the job (are you punching the clock or are you trying to make a difference) and one's own spirituality and religion beliefs.

Here's an interesting discussion on the latter.

Beautiful Horizons: The Religion Discussion

I have several friends who are aboard the Freewinds right now in the Caribbean, attending a week of events that commemorate the release of one of the most advanced levels of our religion.

These events will be videoed and shown to Scientologists all over the world in the month of July. One thing I really love about Scientology is how active my friends and I are in working in our communities to improve conditions. There is usually a lot of information on the most effective community programs covered in these events.

It's also just fun to get together with other members of the Church of Scientology at events like this and just catch up on one another.

So I'm looking forward to July 3rd which will be the first such event this summer.

Scientology and Religious Tolerance

The Church of Scientology is very active in working to guarantee freedom of religion for all people. Religious tolerance is an essential aspect of any free society.

Odd as it might seem, religious intolerance is quite a problem in Western European countries, as shown in this article about a recent law passed in France.

There have been similar attempt to curtail the free practice and expression of religious faith in Germany, Belgium and other western European countries as well.

This disturbing trend lead to the establishment of the Church of Scientology International European Public Affairs and Human Rights Office in Brussels, the center of the new Europe.

Representatives of the Church of Scientology International work with other human rights and religious tolerance groups and governmental bodies to expose and eradicate abuses in this area.

As religious intolerance is spawned by false and alarming information, I recommend the following web sites on Scientology that provide accurate information, including material published by the church and information by scholars, ministers and other groups not affiliated with Scientology.

Information on Scientology

Religioustolerance.org - Scientology
Scientology - Austin Interreligious Ministries
Americanreligion.org The Church of Scientology
Scientology on Beliefnet.com
Scientology by Rev. J. Nation
Scientology (CESNUR)
Church of Scientology - The Foundation for Religious Freedom
What is Scientology? - the Book
Church of Scientology International - Scientology Huan Rights Director
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Scientology
Scientology Effective Solutions
Church of Scientology: The Bonafides of the Scientology Religion
Scientology Effective Solutions - Teaching Honesty and Self-Respect for Happiness and a Bright Future
Reviews for the book: The Church of Scientology
Scientology Volunteer Ministers
Scientology and Dianetics from an Indian Perspective
World Institute of Scientology Entreprises - WISE

Ethics and Morals

This article just showed up on Google news ( Affair was a terrible moral error: Clinton) and it once again brings up a point that affects all of us in America,whether we care to recognize it or not. This is the plummeting of moral standards in the US and most countries in the West.

An essay on Good and Evil, Right and Wrong, by L. Ron Hubbard really puts this in perspective. He wrote this in the late 1970's, and I think anyone could agree that there has been a tremendous deterioration in morals in the 25 years since.

I remember how a friend of mine in College, whom I really looked up to at the time, convinced me that morality was just another way the Establishment controls you - that by breaking free of all contstraints including morality one would be more enlightened, self-determined and free.

And I believed her at the time.

But nothing could be further from the truth.

My church (Scientology) recognizes the importance of its role as a religion in helping people improve their moral standards. Simply put, if you are living in a criminal society where you can't trust your friends and family, let alone the people you interact with at work and in your community, how happy can you be? So if only from the selfish point of view of your own happiness, improving moral values promotes greater survival.

There is a great new site from the Church of Scientology which is part of its mission to help offer workable solutions to this social dilemma.

Dianetics

It wasn't long after I started following my college friend's advice that my life fell apart. Fortunately for me another friend, who really was a friend, told me about Dianetics, and I read the book .

On-Line Dianetics Book

If you can't get to a bookstore or library (unlikely), or borrow a Dianetics book from a friend (there are so many in circulation I bet if you asked around, someone you know has a copy of it), you can still read a book on Dianetics if you are reading this page, because it is on line here: Evolution of a Science

More information about Ethics and Morality

Basics of Ethics and Morals
Moral Development Education for Young People
The Way to Happiness - Ethics & Morals
Ethics & Moral Values
The Way to Happiness

More information on Dianetics

Church of Scientology - Dianetics Answers and Authentic Information
Scientology Training/Dianetics Training
Dianetics and Scientology Stories From Founding Scientologists
About Scientology: Dianetics and a New Era for Mankind
Scientology Missions offer basic Dianetics and Scientology services

A Great Scientology Directory

Zeal.com is a volunteer-based directory. It supplies the non-profit sites for LookSmart

Looking through their Scientology category I found they have a lot of information. In fact it is a very complete source of good web sites about the Church of Scientology.

Here are some of the best categories:

Zeal.com - Scientology - Beliefs & Practices
Zeal.com - Scientology - Guides & Directories
Zeal.com - Texts & Teachings
Zeal.com - United States Scientology - Prominent Figures

Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Harlem

I'm originally from New York, and I am thrilled about what's happening in Harlem - a brand new Church of Scientology of Harlem and the launch of a Scientology Volunteer Ministers exhibit, bringing real and practical solutions.

Isaac Hayes Kicks Off National Tour In Harlem
Showing Potent Tools For Improving Life And Restoring Respect

Mr. Hayes Helps Launch Scientology Drive

The Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers launched a national campaign
with a three week exhibit in Harlem, teaching L. Ron Hubbard’s practical
techniques which people of all faiths can use to be more successful,
improve family life, get better jobs, handle study and drug problems
and restore respect in the individual and the community.

"The methods used by the Volunteer Ministers got wide media
coverage for their effectiveness at the World Trade Center
Disaster," said Reverend Willie E. Frink Jr. Pastor for the Harlem
Church of Scientology. "But shock, trauma, fatigue and injury are
not the only problems people have in life. Many of the problems
people encounter—drug dependency, the decay of personal integrity, a
disintegrating marriage, can seem overwhelming."

"What people see on this tour," said Rev. Frink, "is that no
matter what the problem, something can be done about it. You
just have to know what to do, and the methods on display here,
developed by author L. Ron Hubbard for use by people of all faiths,
are actual, practical tools for dealing with those difficulties."

Visual aids, lots of personal attention, and individual
demonstrations by guides throughout the display are used throughout
to ensure everyone who visits gets a clear idea how to handle
problems which they thought were hopeless.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Links

Scientology Effective Solutions - Volunteer Ministers Bringing effective help to the community
The Church of Scientology - Volunteer Minister Program - Freedom Magazine Published by Church of Scientology
Abbas Zawawi & JoJo Zawawi - Volunteer Ministers
Clearwater's Volunteer Ministers - Providing a Helping Hand - Freedom Magazine
Clergy Corner: Scientology Volunteers